But Johannes was not, for the time being, in a very compliant mood. Since he had dared the octopus he had found that he had more than one string to his bow.
"No, I came for something else. I have a dear friend who lives and works for the poor and oppressed. I am looking for him. I saw him last, at the great strike of the miners, in Germany. Since that time I have heard nothing from him, but I know, surely, that he is with the working people. Mijnheer van Lieverlee has told me that you were in the midst of the labor movement. Could you not help me?"
"What's his name?" asked Dr. Felbeck.
"They know him as Markus," replied Johannes, although it cost him an effort to speak the dear name in that place.
"Markus?" repeated the gentleman, considering. "Markus only?"
"Markus Vis," said Johannes, with yet more reluctance.
"Oh! He!" exclaimed partner Kaas.
"Markus Vis?" said Felbeck, turning round to the others in the office. "Is that—?"
"Yes, yes!" interrupted Kaas, "the very same who caused that row at the Exchange."
"Gee! That confounded anarchist!" cried one of the soft-hatted smokers.